richard weissbourd, thank you thank you very much for joining us.t is it that's wrong with the college application process right now? >> well, i think right now, what students are doing is they're -- some students are racking up accomplishments. i think they think, particularly in affluent communities, that the goal is long brag sheets, and the message we're trying to send is that the goal isn't long brag sheets. the goal is meaningful academic engagement and spirited, passionate learning, and it's meaningful ethical engagement. it's being involved in the community, concern for others and the greater good, the public good. >> woodruff: so what is it students are emphasizing you would like to see less of? >> i think one of the things that they are very focused on is creating -- accumulating extracurricular activities, accumulating a.p. courses. with admission deans who have endorsed this report, over 50 endorsed it, they're saying collectively, and it's very important they're saying it collectively, you know, they're on the same page about this, they

richard weissbourd, harvard univ. school of education: achievement is clearly important but achievement has others and concern for the common good. we can't just reward those who achieve. changing the college application process- they say-- would send a strong message to young people. richard weissbourd, harvard univ. school of education: this is the first time in history that colleges have banded together across the country and said that ethical character is important. in fact, m.i.t., one of the report's endorsers, has already begun to make changes. you changed your essay question to involve community as opposed to some sort of achievement highlight. stuart schmill, mit dean of admissions: that's right. we want to know how have you affected those around you, and made those around you better. because that's important. the report calling for reducing the number of a-p classes and extracurricular activities. even making some sat scores optional! sherri falco's son chris is shooting for harvard. captain of the track, de

backed by dozens of top colleges and universities nationwide -- says enough is enough. 37-50 sot richard weissbourd senior lecturer, harvard graduate school of education 11;17;38 "it's the first time in history that a large group of colleges have banded together to reshape the admissions process suggested: focusing less on standardized testing - possibly making the sat-s and act-s optional stressing quality over quantity when it comes to extracurricular activities and a-p classes. and considering contributions of working class students to their families. don't expect these changes to happen right away. it could be two to three years before any admission policy changes are made. coming up on wavy news ten at five- thirty - an apartment building -- on fire last night. today -- it's covered in ice. a look at this wintry scene - next. then at 6-- as we peek out the window-- when will the snow arrive? what should you expect if you're out driving tonight? live team coverage of this evening's snow-- an apartment buidling caught fire in philadelphia last night -- and this is what's left --- firefighters no

sot richard weissbourd senior lecturer, harvard graduate hool of education 11;17;38 "it's the first time in history have banded together to reshape the among the project's suggestions... de-emphasize standardized sting...possibly making the t d act-s optional... stress quaty over quantitwhen it comes to extracurricular activities and advanced dial down achievement essure... sot rehema ellis 11;47;09 "is this an effort to level the playing field in the admissions office?" sot richard issbourd;47;37 "absolutely. it's an opportunity to more fairly pture thentributions of low income and rking class students who have demanding family sponsibilities, community sponsibilities..." new collegepications may include an essay question for unts to explain theirntributions to others...;20;19 rehema ellis: "do youink that a college looks at e contributionue making to your family? e same way they look at an trurricular, an ap course, something of that nature?" ;20;35 james johnson, highschool junior: "they only see ke the number, like what you t down on paper. like theyn't know like,ur sty, the real you

sot richard weissbourd 11;47;37 "absolutely. it's an opportunity to more fairly capture the contributions of low income and working class students who have demanding family responsibilities, community responsibilities..." new college applications may include an essay question for students to explain their contributions to others... 12;20;19 rehema ellis: "do you think that a college looks at the contribution you're making to your family? the same way they look at an extracurricular, an ap course, or something of that nature?" 12;20;35 james johnson, high like the on paper. like they don't know like, your story, the real you. so." like to tell them your story?" 12;20;49 james johnson, high school junior: "of everybody." a change in college admissions policy could be 2 to 3 years away...opening the process to a broader group of students and concern for the common good. rehema ellis, nbc news, cambridge, massachusetts. iowa state college students will trade in their textbooks for some dancing shoes tonight. the university's dance m

sot richard weissbourd senior lecturer, harvard graduate hool of education 11;17;38 "it's the first time in history have banded together to reshape the among the project's suggestions... de-emphasize standardized sting...possibly making the t d act-s optional... stress quaty over quantitwhen it comes to extracurricular activities and advanced